OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS IN DENTISTRY

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS IN DENTISTRY includes those experienced in the workplace which has potential to affect the worker’s/ dentist’s physical, mental and social well-being.

Occupation health includes its maintenance to the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of all the workers in an occupation. Occupational health represents a dynamic equilibrium between the worker and his occupational environment.

TYPES OF OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS IN DENTISTRY

Physical hazards

Chemical hazards

Biological hazards

Mechanical hazards

Psychosocial hazards

PHYSICAL HAZARDS

Heat

Light

Noise

Ultraviolet radiations,computers and lasers

Sharps.

HEAT

Electrical hazards

Lack of maintenance of electrical equipment ,understanding of equipment and control of equipment.

Example

Painful shocks and burns

LIGHT

Poor illumination:

Eye strain , eye pain , headaches , eye fatigue.

Excessive illumination:

Discomfort , annoyance , visual fatigue.

Prevention is done by suitable light

NOISE

Auditory effects

–Temporary or permanent hearing loss

Non-auditory effects

–Fatigue

–Interference with communication by speech and annoyance.

Noise hazards are due to high speed turbines, suction or ultrasonic dental scaler.

ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION

Radiations (x-ray):

–Effects are on both the body and offspring.

–Damage is painless but life threatening.

–International Commission of Radiology Protection has set the maximum permissible level of occupational exposure at 5 rem per year to the whole body.

Effects

– Dermatitis

–Skin cancer

Genetic:

–Congenital defect in employee’s offspring.

Goal

–Minimize the radiation exposure of office personnel and patient during x-Ray.

The instrument used to measure radiation dose is known as Dosimeter.

Radiation safety procedures

Operator should leave the room or stay behind the barrier during exposure.

Walls must be of sufficient density.

Operator should use film holding instruments.

During the exposure the radiographic tube should never be sterilized by the operator.

SHARPS

Hazardous Material:

–Glassware and sharp needles

–Lancets

–B.P Test tubes

Effects are:

–Cuts

–Scratches

Preventions

– ONLY TO Handle with care

CHEMICAL HAZARDS

Dentists are exposed to various types of chemicals which are hazardous,such as

–Mercury

–Methaacrylates

–Silica

–Beryllium

–Formaldehyde

–Xylene

–Latex Gloves

CHEMICAL HAZARDS

Dentists are exposed to various types of chemicals which are hazardous,such as

–Mercury

–Methaacrylates

–Silica

–Beryllium

–Formaldehyde

–Xylene

–Latex Gloves

MERCURY

It is an element of mystery.

Average daily take is 1.2 to 1.3 µg from amalgam filling in subjects with 7-8 restorations.

Maximum level of safe exposure is 50µg/cc of air.

Excess of mercury is hazardous to the dental personnel

PREVENTION

Encapsulated alloys

Ventilation

Excess and spilled mercury should be collected in fixer containing break resistant bottles

METHAACRYLATE

Skin, eye or mucous membrane irritation

Allergic dermatitis

Asthma

Paresthesia in fingers

SILICA

Inhalation of free silica or silicon dioxide in ceramic laboratories lead to silicosis

Beryllium

Susceptible group are dental technicians

Chronic beryllium disease may occour when working on items such as dental crowns,bridges and partial dentures.